October Events in Birmingham 2018

Fall is my favorite time of the year. The cotton, sunflowers, and peanuts growing in the fields. The rolls of hay in the pastures. The fall festivals. The cooler weather. Football season. So many good things, and you can definitely take advantage of the weather this month with all the things happening in our city.

And if you stop by Pepper Place this Saturday (the 6th) or Mt. Laurel’s Fall Festival next weekend (the 13th), be sure to stop by our booth and say hello!

My favorite food festival of the year, and probably Birmingham’s oldest one, considering this is their 45th year. Be sure to check out their desserts (Greek donuts and baklava!), and if you’re unsure of what to order, my fave is the pasticho (macaroni, ground beef, Greek tomato sauce, covered with a layer of béchamel). Click here to view this year’s menu. You can also tour the church, which is both beautiful and historical and worth your time.

The ACLU of Alabama will be presenting a presentation on the history of voter disenfranchisement and gerrymandering in Alabama as well as the modernization of voter suppression and information about the upcoming midterm election.

Come to the Gardens to peruse the antiques gathered from across the U.S. as well, to attend workshops, and to meet regionally and nationally known architects, interior designers, and landscape designers. This is Birmingham’s premier antique show, so if antiques are your thing, you won’t want to miss this event. This year, Martha Stewart will be even be presenting a lecture!

If you like R&B, these two groups have had an undeniable impact on this musical style. Plus, they have tight harmonies, and the Temptations even have a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Their hit “My Girl” continues to be one of all-time fave songs.

There is no parking on site, but free shuttle buses are available at the Bluff Park United Methodist Church, Shades Mountain Independent Church, Bluff Park Village Shopping Center, and Shades Crest Baptist Church.

Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

See the work of more than 150 artists in this annual juried art show, and enjoy several food vendors, music from local high school jazz bands, and a children’s art activities section.

Celebrate Southern Research’s inaugural Change Campaign, which supports scientific discoveries here in Birmingham! Festivities will include in complementary drinks and hors-d’oeuvres, a live LED dance performance, and live music. Ticket proceeds support Southern Research’s efforts in cancer research, green chemistry, and neuroscience research.

Watch local stars and choreographers perform in this one-night competition. Each team will perform a 90-second dance routine and compete for various trophies. Proceeds from this evening support First Light’s emergency shelter and supportive housing programs for homeless women and their families.

Shop from various arts and crafts vendors, watch the live music at Bryson Square Stage, savor delicious eats, and browse all the artwork, home decor items, jewelry, and pottery from local vendors. And guess what? Down in the Ham will be there as well, so be sure to stop by!

Shop from local vendors at this urban street market in the heart of historic Woodlawn. I always enjoy watching the dance battles, picking up some coffee at Woodlawn Cycle, and trying some of the food (like the street corn) when I go!

This is one of those hidden gems of Birmingham – a live storytelling event where people tell true stories that they actually lived! The theme for this event is “Spooked: True. Scary. Stories.” and I recommend getting there when the doors open in order to get a good seat.

The Alabama Ballet performs this romantic ballet from the Scottish Highlands where a young man leaves everything he knows to pursue the elusive woodland sylph of his dreams while a vengeful witch conspires to tear them apart.

Birmingham Moms Blog is hosting a chic Halloween party for just moms. Dress up in costume (or just jeans if you prefer) and enjoy food, cocktails, costumes, live music, local vendors, giveaways, swag, and more.

TEDxBirminghamSalon is an intimate opportunity to come together with others committed to “ideas worth spreading” in Birmingham. Watch several curated TED Talk videos and engage in connection and conversations afterward.

This family friendly fair and sporting event event hosts artists and craftsmen, fly-fishing demonstrations, dog-training seminars, a variety of hands-on youth programs, and a Land Rover driving course. Plus, you can enter to win Orvis clothing, dog beds, and more.

This inaugural home tour is a documentary you can touch with 150 years of story and style built into the walls of 7 different homes in the 5 Points South neighborhood. There will also be a fall festival, which includes a pumpkin carving contest, food trucks, live music, and more.

They stop selling tickets at 10:30 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on the weekends.

Cost: $20+

I’m not much for haunted houses or scary things, but if you love this sort of thing, head to Sloss Furnace this month for a zombie infested forest, a Sloss Fright Furnace tour, a marathon of horror flicks, and the Roadkill Cafe.

The Birmingham Zoo transforms into a destination of spooky attractions this month with the Haunted Hayride & Tour, Ghoul School, Spider Slide, the Eerie Express Train, the Scarousel, and trick or treating throughout the Zoo. Kids are welcome to come in their family-friendly costumes and to collect candy on Trick-or-Treat Lane.

Enjoy an interactive story adventure through some of your favorite children’s books. For ages 6 weeks – 3 years. Each week features a different children’s book about our favorite furry and fanged friends. Tiny Tyke Tales will feature a 30 minute guided interactive adventure followed by 30 minutes of open exploration and play.

Local Pumpkin Patch & Corn Mazes

Old Baker Farm has a pumpkin patch and is a great place to take the little ones.

Location: 184 Furrow Ln., Harpersville, AL

Time:

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays

1 – 5 p.m. on Sundays

Cost: Pay with cash or check only

$10 per person

Pumpkin Patch Express offers a ride on a vintage train, a pumpkin patch, hayride, bounce house, corn maze, and other family activities. Click here for the train ride schedule.

Location: Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Saturdays & Sundays)

Cost for Train Ride:

Adults: $17

Children (Ages 2-11): $12

Children 2 and under are free

Penton Farms has a corn maze, and they also have a pumpkin patch, cotton picker play area for kids, wagon ride, corn pit, and more. If you’re familiar with The Market at Pepper Place, Penton Farms is one of their vendors.

Location: 3595 County Rd. 59, Verbena, AL

Time:

1-5pm on Mondays-Fridays

8am-5pm on Saturdays.

Cost: $10 per person, which includes 1 pumpkin and all activities (except concessions).